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Abstract
The differentiated state of somatic cells is remarkably stable, but nucleartransfer can efficiently override the stability of cell differentiation bynuclear reprogramming. Genes that were silent in the differentiated stateare activated, whereas genes specific for the differentiated state areswitched off during the reprogramming process. The epigenetic changesthat occur after nuclear transfer to Xenopus oocytes involve chromatinremodelling and DNA demethylation. In particular, we have reported thatreactivation of the mouse stem cell specific gene oct-4 depends ondemethylation of CpG:s in the proximal oct-4 promoter. Here we discussmolecular mechanisms of nuclear reprogramming, with special emphasison DNA demethylation.